PSC H996

Overview

The Product Service Code (PSC) taxonomy classifies goods and services purchased across the U.S. federal government to improve procurement reporting, tracking, and analysis in systems such as FPDS and SAM. PSC H996 is the PSC entry used to identify “other” quality‑control, testing, and inspection services specifically related to ores, minerals, and primary mineral products; H996 sits in Category H (Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection) of the PSC Manual. See the PSC entry for H996 for a concise G2X summary.

What this PSC covers

• Quality control services for ores and mined minerals (field and plant inspections)
• Laboratory testing and chemical/mineralogical analysis of mineral samples
• Assay and grade verification of concentrates and primary mineral products
• Field sampling, chain‑of‑custody, and material inspection at mining or processing sites
• Certification, compliance reporting, and documentation tied to primary mineral shipments

Specific activities and an exhaustive scope of services for H996 are not enumerated in the PSC Manual. Not specified by official sources ¹.

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type | Code | Descriptor

• | - | - PSC | H396 | Inspection — Ores, Minerals, and Their Primary Products PSC | H995 | Other Quality Control, Testing, and Inspection — Metal Bars, Sheets, and Shapes

(PSC relationships above are shown in the PSC Manual listing of Category H service codes.) ²

Contracting notes

• The PSC is a descriptive FPDS data element used to indicate “what” was bought; contracting officers should record the predominant product or service in data element 8A when multiple items or services are procured. ¹
• FPDS and related tools are primary sources for historical award and opportunity data tied to PSCs; use FPDS ezSearch and help resources to filter by Product or Service Code and to build reports. ³

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What distinguishes PSC H996 from PSC H396?
  A: PSC H396 is the inspection entry for ores, minerals, and primary products; PSC H996 is the “other” bucket for quality control, testing, or inspection services associated with the same material group when the work does not match the primary inspection descriptor.

• Q: Where is H996 applied in federal reporting?
  A: Agencies use PSC H996 as the Product or Service Code (data element 8A) in FPDS records and procurement reports to identify awards and actions for quality‑control/testing services tied to ores and minerals.

• Q: Which specific tasks count as H996 versus a laboratory PSC?
  A: The PSC Manual does not provide a detailed task‑by‑task allocation between H996 and other laboratory or inspection PSCs; agencies generally assign the code that best matches the predominant service being procured. Not specified by official sources ¹

• Q: How can I find solicitations or awards coded H996?
  A: Search FPDS (or agency procurement portals) by Product or Service Code, using FPDS ezSearch filters or the agency’s award/opportunity search tools to restrict results to PSC H996. For FPDS guidance, consult FPDS help pages. ³

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC H996 overview (unnumbered)
• PSC Manual — Product and Service Code Manual (landing page): acquisition.gov/psc-manual
• PSC Manual — PSC Manual (April 2025 PDF): acquisition.gov (PDF)
• FPDS — Help and ezSearch guidance: fpds.gov/help

References

1. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. https://www.fpds.gov/help/index.jsp